Photography Courtesy of Julian Lucas
Pomona, CA ©2015

Traditional news media tends to present readers with statistics and numbers when discussing homelessness in California, while The Pomonan takes a sympathetic approach. “CalMatters” published an article focused on homelessness growing at an exponential rate, with recent data from January 25, 2024, showing that over 180,000 people live on the streets of California. It is common to find articles that present large numbers focusing on the current issues of homelessness. However, The Pomonan focuses on the entire history and the root causes of these issues.

An article published by The Pomonan, “Being Black and Homeless in a White Supremacist Society,” is an essay written by Julio Mares. The essay does an excellent job of educating readers on the actions of previous men in power, such as President Andrew Johnson, which have left the African American community at a disadvantage. People may argue that articles focusing on numbers are more informative than those that examine the history of where and how those numbers originated. I believe this to be a shallow and unfair position that fails to show the bigger picture. The essay referenced by Julio Mares includes President Andrew Johnson's history of actively opposing the Freedmen’s Bureau (1865), an agency focused on helping ex-slaves transition to freedom. Johnson’s actions left 4 million former slaves homeless. This essay makes the case that homelessness is a product of systemic racism, and Pomona is no exception. Julio Mares also highlights Donald Trump’s discrediting of Nikole Hannah-Jones of The New York Times, describing her initiative on slavery as "deceptions, falsehoods, and lies." The Pomonan provides a devastating graph showing the millions of dollars the city spends on the police department—over 90% of all funding, totaling more than $80 million. This emphasizes the importance of community voices in journalism. When one or more voices speak out on homelessness, it creates a big impact, generating sympathy and moral support while shedding light on the issue. This, in turn, leads to greater awareness and meaningful assistance. The inclusivity of the community is what sets The Pomonan apart from typical news outlets focusing on the next big story.

“Racism & Homelessness,” an article written by Julian Lucas, captures the story of a Black homeless man living on the streets of LA. Lucas uses evocative photography to deepen our understanding of the lives some of these men lead. Jerry, a 1981 graduate from Ganesha High School, suffered a severe gun injury at a bus stop 14 years before the interview, leaving his face permanently damaged. Jerry states, “The world can be cruel,” as he describes trying to make it in society. Interviews like this make us sympathize with individuals who have had less fortunate lives than many of us. I believe this approach could help our community and others like it, as it reminds us that homeless people are humans too.

Sources
Calmatters
Being Black in a White Supremist Society
The 1619 Project

Students in Pomona High School's AP Economics and Government class have exhibited their understanding of real-world issues by writing insightful op-eds, photo essays, and film shorts for The Pomonan. Combining critical analysis with a touch of journalism, these submissions explore topics at the intersection of economics and government while fostering meaningful engagement with their community. Encouraged by their teacher Mr. Hangan to think deeply and articulate their perspectives, these young writers have demonstrated creativity, civic awareness, and a growing appreciation for the power of the written word in shaping public discourse.